Becoming a Microsoft MVP – Craig Porteous

Microsoft’s MVP Award is an annual award that recognises exceptional technology community leaders worldwide who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with users and Microsoft.

We are delighted to announce that in November, one of our very own Data Engineers, Craig Porteous was awarded MVP status with Microsoft.

With just over 3,000 awardees worldwide, Microsoft MVPs represent a highly select group of experts. MVPs share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. They represent the diversity of today’s technical communities. MVPs are present in over 90 countries, in more than 40 languages and across numerous Microsoft technologies. MVPs share a passion for technology, a willingness to help others, and a commitment to community. These are the qualities that make MVPs exceptional community leaders.

MVPs’ efforts enhance people’s lives and contribute to our industry’s success in many ways. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, and providing objective feedback, they help people solve problems and discover new capabilities every day. MVPs are technology’s best and brightest, and we are so honoured that Craig is one of them.

Why was Craig chosen?

Craig has been dedicated to sharing knowledge and creating a community focusing on SQL, Data Engineering and Power BI. Craig has directly contributed to the SQL and Data community more than 30 times in the last year alone, hosting, attending and volunteering at events and writing articles for his community blog. On top of this, in Glasgow, Craig is a leader amongst the SQL community running the local meetup and has even created his own conference SQLGLA is a free, full day, annual conference in Glasgow with a wide range of international speakers and over 100 attendees. He also runs SQL Glasgow user group – a monthly user group for SQL users, often working with the other meetup groups and promoting community learning.

We caught up with Craig and asked him about being an MVP.

Craig, how did you feel when you got the email?

“I was pretty overwhelmed. My reaction was how I’d have imagined a lottery win, I literally jumped out my seat and immediately called my wife to tell her. I knew I had been nominated but I never considered I would actually be awarded.”

What benefits do you get from being an MVP, other than the shiny trophy?

“The benefits Microsoft and other third-party companies share with MVPs are fantastic and it really feels like a thank you for being involved in the community. Microsoft provide a great deal to help us continue exploring and sharing new technologies like a Power BI Pro license, Azure credits and an Office365 subscription. Pluralsight provide a subscription to their enormous library of learning materials. MVPs also get discounts on other related products to name a few benefits. One of the biggest benefits is access and involvement with Microsoft’s product teams so we can learn and help shape where future updates and products go. It’s all covered by NDA so I can’t say much more I’m afraid”

A huge congratulations to Craig, check out our intelligence section to discover our services from Craig and the rest of the Intelligence team.